3. You’re In Conflict

Ever been in someone’s home as a guest only to have your hosts start to argue with each other?

It doesn’t happen that often, but the few times it’s happened when I’ve been around have made me want to run out the door.

Why would church be any different? If you’re constantly bickering and arguing, why would any new people stay?

It’s not that Christians shouldn’t have conflict, but we should be the best in the world at handling it. The New Testament is a virtual manual of conflict resolution, but so many of us prefer gossip, non-confrontation and dealing with anyone but the party involved.

4. You’re More In Love With The Past Than You Are With The Future.

This can be true of churches that are in love with tradition and churches that are have had some amazing days recently. When leaders become more in love with the past than they are with the future, the end is near.

If your church is a museum to 1950 or even 2012, the likelihood of reaching the next generation diminishes with every passing day.

5. You’re Not That Awesome To Be Around.

Fake. Judgmental. Hypocritical. Angry. Narrow. Unthinking. Unkind.

Those are adjectives often used to describe Christians, and sometimes they have their basis in truth.

There are certain people who are energizing to be around. Unfortunately, too many Christians today don’t fit that description. Jesus was mesmerizing. Paul caused conflict for sure, but he had many deep relationships and incredible influence. The early church was known for compassion and generosity.

If people truly don’t want to be around you, don’t let the reason be that you haven’t let Christ reshape your character or social skills.

6. You’re Focused On Yourself.

Too many churches are focused on their wants, preferences and perceived needs. They are self-focused organizations and self-focused people. It should be no surprise that outsiders never feel welcomed, valued or included.

If you want to reach people, you can’t be self-focused. After all, a life devoted to self ultimately leaves you alone.

7. You Think Culture Is The Enemy.

If all you ever are is angry at the culture around us, how are you going to reach people in that culture? Christians who consistently expect non-Christians to act like Christians baffle me (I wrote about that here.)

If you treat your unchurched neighbor like an enemy, why would he ever want to be your friend?

9. You Can’t Make A Decision.

Governance will become a major issue for future churches. When your decision making is rooted in complex bureaucracy or congregational approval for every major change, it makes decision making difficult and courageous change almost impossible.

10. You Talk More Than You Act.

Most church leaders love to think and love to debate issues.

Effective leaders add one more component. They act.

Most church leaders I know overthink and underact. If you acted on even a few more of your good ideas, you could possibly be twice as effective in a very short timeframe.

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3 Comments

John Evanson October 23, 2017 at 6:05 am

My concern is that churches have to embrace change if they want to grow. Remember Einstein’s definition of stupidity – Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Change is not the enemy – stagnation and the worship of tradition are the enemies. We must find ways to evolve in how we carry out God’s mission without sacrificing the mission itself. Otherwise we are doomed to a slow and painful demise.

Evangelism component is something I’d add more focus on, “Being fishers of men”. This includes internal and external evangelism. You need to challenge people in the audience every Sunday and then those in the local community that haven’t come through your doors.